Hardy geraniums, sometimes called Cranesbill Geraniums are typically a mounding to spreading perennial. Their flat, round blossoms are typically in pink or blue tones. In some varieties, the foliage will tinge red as cooler Fall temps arrive. This gives you a longer show from both flowers and foliage.
Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
(Dicentra) There are several types of bleeding heart. They are all shade or morning sun loving plants.
Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart: (Dicentra spectabilis) This lovely plant offers unique heart-shaped pendant blooms on long arching stems. A wonderful Spring bloomer for the garden that has morning sun or shade. Flowers may be pink or white. This plant is in its full glory in Spring. However, it dies back in the heat of summer–so site it at the back of the garden where other summer bloomers can fill in the visual void. It is a hardy perennial and will return in Spring each year.
Fern-Leaf Bleeding Heart: (Dicentra formosa hybrids) This type of Dicentra has smaller stature than the Old Fashioned types– around 18″H x 18″W. Flowers can be pink or white and are heart shaped on upright stems and rise above ferny delicate foliage. It blooms in late Spring and may continue to have a lighter bloom period thru Fall. Foliage stays handsome throughout the season.
(Symphytum) This velvet-leafed herb is often used as a medicinal in topical skin ointments and salves. Many gardeners will also tell you that the leaves are a welcome addition to compost piles or for soaking to make a liquid fertilizer as comfrey’s deep roots “mine” nutrients from the soil. Still others choose to clip stems & leaves (allowing them to wilt so that they can’t re-root) and then use them as a natural mulch in the garden.
Comfrey is a perennial plant in our area. It will grow just about anywhere– full or part sun. It prefers rich, loamy or sandy soil but will adapt to most soil types. Tip: Site it wisely, once planted– it can live for many years and isn’t easy to remove as any little piece of root that remains will sprout a new plant.
(Aquilegia), Add some of these lovely flowers to your garden! They have a long bloom time, especially when deadheaded. They come in a multitude of colors and also heights. This is one we always offer in Spring. Come visit us for current selections.
Exposure: Morning Sun, Filtered Light, Shade
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Early Summer
Varieties:
Alpine
Rocky Mountain Blue
…and other assorted varieties
(Alchemilla) A lovely long blooming perennial. Has large, low growing leaves. Sprays of yellow flowers sit atop the foliage and mix with any other color in your garden. Flowers will age to a buff color post bloom. Leave them for a Fall accent or clip back as desired. Will re-seed new clumps in moist, bare soil.
Exposure: Full to Part Sun
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Early Summer
Dramatic flower spikes in a wide range of vibrant colors make an excellent choice for summer bouquets or attracting hummingbirds to the garden. Prefers cool, evenly moist sites. Remove faded flower spikes to encourage reblooming.
Exposure: Full to Part Sun
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Summer
(Osteospermum) Dazzling white flowers with metallic backing are produced from April through summer over glistening mats of lustrous, nearly succulent, evergreen foliage. Giant blossoms close at night to reveal a metallic reverse of ray flowers. A spectacular addition to the sunny border or water-smart landscape. Not well suited to areas that are frequently irrigated, in poorly drained soils, and in soils highly amended with organic materials. Deadhead spent flowers periodically to keep plants attractive.
Exposure: Sun to Part Sun
Bloom Time: Late Spring thru Late Summer
Avalanche 12″H x 24″W. A Plant Select Perennial. Zone 4. More Info Here.
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
Yucca plants are the ultimate drought tolerant plant. Planted in well-drained soil, they need very little water once established. They have lovely blooms in summer. In winter, their leaves are striking when covered in frost. A low maintenance choice that gives beauty in all seasons.
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Red Yucca (False Yucca) (Hesperaloe parviflora): up to 4′ H x 2′ W. A Plant Select Perennial. Zone 5. More Info Here.
Narrowleaf Yucca/Plains Yucca (Yucca glauca) up to 2′ H x 2′-3′ W. Native to the Southwest. Showy, creamy white flowers in late Spring/Early Summer. Zone 4.
Variegated Yucca (Yucca filamentosa): up to 4′ H x 2′ W. Variegated leaves
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
This plant has glossy mounds of deep green, strap-shaped leaves with three-inch, shiny yellow flowers throughout the season. This selection is cold hardy compared to the annual bedding gazanias. It does well under ordinary garden treatment, or in unamended, dry soils (once established).
Exposure: Full to Part Sun
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Frost
Colorado Gold: 6″H x 12″W. A Plant Select Perennial. More Info Here.
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
Masses of yellow flowers turn orange as they age. Spreading green foliage changes to a vivid purple-red in winter. Vigorous and adaptable western native. When sited properly, requires very little attention. Not well suited to areas that are frequently irrigated, poorly drained, or soils highly highly amended with organic materials.
Exposure: Full to Part Sun
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer
